The Forensics unit within the Austin Police Department is a diverse organization with many labs working together to achieve a common goal. I have had the privilege of being able to shadow or work with someone in every lab, while most of my internship took place in the ballistics lab. Each unit plays a specific role within the entire lab and they have to be aware of the roles of the other units to make sure that each unit receives the correct evidence to process in order to adequately prosecute the guilty party.
Due to the legality of dealing with crime scene evidence, interns are unable to process evidence. However, this does not stop the intern from learning about the case and the procedures behind how evidence is processed. Members of the firearms lab do exceptionally well with the details they can release regarding the evidence that they have received. Examples are: was it related to an accidental shooting, homicide, or ballistics that were found or confiscated by an officer? All weapons and projectiles (ammunition, etc.) that are brought in by an APD officer make it to the firearms lab to be processed. Sometimes the evidence is just test fired and logged, and other evidence requires more detailed handling and paperwork.
During my internship I realized that there were a lot of differences between Austin’s crime lab and crime labs that you see on television. Although, it is not always agreed upon whether it causes issues within the court of law, the effects of the realistic looking television shows are there and the expectations that go with.